During the last week, it seems that news about Microsoft shows them busy doing the kind of things that we all love them for:

• Janus, MS's new DRM software, was released on Monday. No surprise that the DRM controls will enable expiration of access to content. Big industry players such as Dell, Disney, and AOL are showing interest. Ready for DVD's and CD's which have a very limited use life? Story at CNN and Ars Technica.
• IP News Blog links to this piece from eweek which suggests that Longhorn delays are aimed at making the next version of Windows as Linux/open source unfriendly as possible (although I suspect that delays are more likely attributed to security problems over Paladium). More disturbing to me is the claim that MS is filing ten patents a day during this time in order to protect Longhorn. Ironic, isn't it, since as Lessig points out in Free Culture
  

  As Microsoft chairman Bill Gates wrote in 1991, in a memo criticizing software patents, “established companies have an interest in excluding future competitors.” And relative to a startup, established companies also have the means.

• Finally, if Microsoft's business practices aren't enough, here's a reason to stop using MSN and Hotmail. MS plans to sell membership on a whitelist for "marketers" whose messages/spam will not be blocked from their members' email accounts. Wonder if they'll turn around and offer paid for spam free services without the whitelist spam to their email members? Via Slashdot.
• UPDATE: Almost forgot this one. Microsoft Watch reports on recommended hardware requirements for Longhorn which will outdate all current computers:
  

  Microsoft is expected to recommend that the "average" Longhorn PC feature a dual-core CPU running at 4 to 6GHz; a minimum of 2 gigs of RAM; up to a terabyte of storage; a 1 Gbit, built-in, Ethernet-wired port and an 802.11g wireless link; and a graphics processor that runs three times faster than those on the market today.

  Could this be the reason for Longhorn delays? Are they waiting for the hardware to catch up with the needs of a bloated operating system? Personally, I think this will just push more people to Linux.